Whether in aerospace, automotive, or industrial sectors, testing electric power systems is becoming more complex, and more demanding than ever. As a result, engineers and researchers must be able to capture synchronised, multi-domain data with even greater accuracy, safety, and speed.
To meet these evolving needs, HBK offers two advanced solutions for power analysis, each tailored to different testing conditions and challenges:
In this article, we’ll compare both systems – helping you find the right solution suited for your test setup.
The eDrive power analyzer serves as a traditional system for integrated lab testing. It features a modular, mainframe-based architecture that centralises all measurement inputs into a single chassis.
Paired with Perception ePower software and GN310B plug-and-play analyser cards, it provides high-accuracy measurements with a broad input range up to +/- 1500 V.
Each mainframe supports between 3 and 51 power channels, making the system ideal for lab environments, where the power analyzer can be physically located near the device under test (DUT).
The eDrive supports synchronised data acquisition across multiple signals, including:
The remote probe power analyzer is engineered for distributed data acquisition in high-voltage, EMC-sensitive, or physically large-scale environments.
Unlike the eDrive, this system places fibre-optically isolated probes directly at the DUT. Each probe captures four voltage or current channels locally and transmits digital data via fibre optics to the Genesis HighSpeed mainframe.
Similar to the eDrive, the remote probe also uses a power analyzer card – GN800B – but can scale from 4 up to 136 channels per mainframe. This makes the setup ideal for large-scale, hazardous, or EMC-sensitive environments, with probe-to-mainframe distances of up to 100 metres.
The concept of separate power card and mainframe enables the remote probe closer proximity to the measurement object, thus reducing high-voltage cable length. This ensures any EMC is minimised while fibre optical cables enable fast, EMC-free and safe data transfer to the mainframe.
With a new family of fibre-optically isolated probes - available in 4 and 8 power channel packages and sample rates up to 20 MS/s - these probes are engineered for unrivalled accuracy.
| Feature | HBK eDrive | Remote Probe |
| Sampling rate per channel | Up to 2 MS/s | Up to 20 MS/s |
| Accuracy | 0.015% reading & 0.02% range | |
| Max input voltage | +/- 1500 V | +/- 2000 V |
| Signal integrity | Good (cable-dependent) | Excellent (short leads & fibre optics) |
| Galvanic isolation | Standard between channels and inputs/outputs | Full channel/input/output & fibre optic |
| Flexibility & distribution | Centralised | Distributed (up to 100 m apart) |
| Scalability | Up to 51 power channels per mainframe | Up to 136 power channels per mainframe |
| Integrations | CAN FD, EtherCAT, API with <1 ms latency |
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Commonly used in electric motor R&D, inverter testing, and NVH studies, the eDrive Power Analyzer is the ideal choice for centralised, multi-domain laboratory testing where electrical, mechanical, and bus data must be acquired synchronously.
Choose the eDrive power analyzer if you need:
Used in EV battery testing, aerospace copper bird systems, and large-scale industrial power systems, the remote probe power analyzer offers a reliable solution in demanding environments requiring distributed measurements, high-voltage isolation, EMC immunity, safety, and ultra-high-speed data capture.
Choose the remote probe power analyzer if:
Whether you choose the eDrive or remote probe power analyzer, both come equipped with HBK’s Perception ePower Suite, ensuring consistent workflows and powerful insights across any setup.
The Perception ePower software suite includes:
Whether you’re operating in a centralised lab or a distributed field setup, Perception ePower ensures you always have consistent workflows with high-performance data analysis.
Choosing the right power analyzer depends on your environment, safety requirements, and integration needs.
Centralised lab-based R&D testing? Go with the eDrive power analyzer.
Distributed, high-voltage, or EMC-sensitive setups? Choose the remote probe power analyzer.
No matter which power analyzer you choose, both systems are backed by HBK’s reputation for precision, performance, and engineering excellence. So you can rely on accurate, synchronised results in any scenario.
Ready to choose your solution? Explore HBK’s power analyzers in more detail, or talk to the HBK experts to find the system that fits your exact testing needs.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
This will bring together HBM, Brüel & Kjær, nCode, ReliaSoft, MicroStrain and Discom brands, helping you innovate faster for a cleaner, healthier, and more productive world.
